3rd Thursdays deemed success

Residents of West Philadelphia who ventured out into their own backyards this past year may have been surprised at what they found there -- especially if they ventured out on the third Thursday of each month. On these days, the University City District held a series of events called "Go West! Go International!"--advertised as "celebrations of exciting music, theatre, poetry, art, dance and international cuisine"-- in and around Penn's campus with the goal of reintroducing West Philly residents to the diverse culture found in the community. And as the season's events wrapped up last Thursday, the campaign reached that very goal, according to University and community officials. "There's no doubt the campaign was a success in raising the profile of community arts, cultural events and restaurants," said UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke. Attendees of 3rd Thursday events could sample the variety of ethnic cuisine offered by local restaurants, enjoy performances by area artists such as Philadanco and take part in other scheduled activities including art and museum exhibits -- all at special 3rd Thursday fares. Joe Ruane, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, said that 3rd Thursdays showed people a side of their community they may not have seen before and also brought people into the community from outside. "People often go downtown to eat out and don't even think of the good restaurants here," said Ruane. In addition, the festivals helped bring the University and the surrounding community together, according to Glenn Bryan, the University's director of community relations. Bryan hopes students will continue to discover the neighborhoods that surround Penn and is now working on a package to promote Philadelphia as a college town. "3rd Thursdays are part of that package," said Bryan. "[Such events] help to dispel the myth that students shouldn't go past 40th Street." While receiving such enthusiastic response for this past series of 3rd Thursdays, UCD planners are already at work to make next year's events even more enticing to Philly residents. As a part of these changes, for example, each 3rd Thursday celebration next year will revolve around a monthly feature event such as a museum exhibit opening, instead of offering a spread of smaller activities. UCD Marketing Director Allison Kelsey said that holding one feature event each month will be more effective in bringing community members together. "Last year it was hard to get a feel of the crowds because everything was so spread out," said Kelsey. "Next year we're really going to try to make a scene." Kelsey also hopes the next season of Thursdays will include more "entertainment for the mind," such as lectures and talks by research and medical institutions in the area. As in the past year, however, the series will most likely begin in September with a kickoff in Sansom Commons, where an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people gathered on the third Thursday of last September to "Go West! Go International!"